Bit of a sad old girl

[Steve C]

Hi all, just joined today. Rescued a XK8 from a field (1998 coupe). Got her home yesterday, charged battery, checked levels and turned her over. Not firing at all. Ignition displays, traction control fail, stability control fail and I plugged in a code reader and got 1 fault found P1397. Any ideas before I get the spanners out? 

[Old Peter]

Welcome to the club, Steve.

P1397 is a speed sensor fault, which does not help you at all.

I think you should get the spanners out and start at the beginning.  In the old days it was the plugs and points, but now its fuel injectors which could well be the first thing to look at.

Let us know how you get on.

Regards,

Peter.

[Leo]

First thing I would do would be to replace the battery: If it has been in a field for a while the battery is very unlikely to recover.

[Steve C]

Thanks for the comments, the battery is nearly new I found the receipt in the car. I will update this post as I go.

[Steve C]

Quick update. Coil packs ok , getting a lovely spark. After taking plugs out noticed oil on rim of plug caps, also oil in throttle body when butterfly open. Engine been over filled with oil, about two cm. over upper level mark. Is it normal for a fan like noise when ignition turned on, it goes off when throttle fully open. presuming its something to do with fuel injection. Any thoughts /advice svp.